Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself of Cancer Causing Carcinogens from Your Home

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US. In 2015, about 589,430 Americans are expected to die of cancer, or about 1,620 people per day. Research shows that most cancer causing toxins are freely available for home use. This may come as a surprise to many who think their homes are safe. The fact is, most of us live in homes we’ve unintentionally loaded with carcinogens, but the good news is that we can take a few simple steps to make our lives and homes as cancer–proof as possible.

The prevention of cancer can start right from your home, the food you eat, gadgets and devices you choose to use. Here is a list of the top 10 simple ways you can remove many carcinogens from your house and protect the lives of you and your family.

1. Filter Your Home Water

In 1992 the American Journal of Public Health published a report that showed a 15% to 35% increase in certain types of cancer for people who consume chlorinated water. Moreover the presence of toxins such as arsenic and fluoride were reported. How to get rid of these toxins? Filter your drinking water and install a filter in the shower, or a whole house filtration system to remove up to 99% of the bad stuff.

2. Don’t Eat Toxins!

We all like to think that we are eating healthy foods, but for many people, that is simply not the case. Whenever you choose to eat prepackaged, processed or canned foods, you are choosing to fill your body with known carcinogens and toxic chemicals. Moreover, many pesticides and herbicides are potentially carcinogenic. The answer, of course, is to eat smart, eat whole, organically-grown produce foods, pastured animal products, and using organic or non-toxic gardening methods around your own home.

3. Avoid Plastic Containers

Whatever advantages those plastic containers offer you, don’t use them. Get rid of toxic chemicals and containers made from cancer causing materials and replace them safe products. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most ubiquitous and toxic chemicals in our modern environment present in plastic containers including food and drink containers, water bottles, shampoo bottles etc. It is part of our modern life. It is not possible to avoid exposure to BPA, but it is possible to make choices that decrease our everyday exposures.

4. Replace Non-Stick Cookware

Non-stick cookware has become enormously popular because of its convenience factor, and is now the most popular cookware in the United States. However, millions of people are unknowingly sacrificing their health to save a few minutes in the kitchen. Toxic chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) released at high temperature (as in cooking) can cause number of disease. Ditch your toxin-laced nonstick and Teflon cookware for ceramic.

5. Keep the Air Clean and Clear

Indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted that outdoor. It is easy to reduce the pollutants in your home and infuse it with a delightful scent through natural ways. But not with canned, synthetic sprays, some of which contain chemicals that are linked to increased breast cancer risk. Instead, freshen the air the old-fashioned way with houseplants, dishes with lemon juice and vinegar, and bowls of natural potpourri made with flowers and herbs. Take a look at our previous article for Top 10 Air Detoxifying Plants for Indoor Use to make your choice for houseplants easier.

6. Clean Out Your Cleaning Products

A study published journal Environmental Health, suggests that cleaning product use contributes to an increased risk of breast cancer. Commercial household cleaning products are a significant source of toxins, polluting your indoor air and poisoning your body, as they’re absorbed through the skin while you scrub. To cut exposure, make your own inexpensive, non-toxic cleaning products, using lemon juice, baking soda, tea tree oil and vinegar. Find some easy cleaning projects here.

7. Clean Up Your Beauty Regimen

There are thousands of chemicals used in personal care products. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, nearly 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are known to be toxic. Women who use make-up on a daily basis can absorb almost five pounds of chemicals into their bodies each year, so this is not a matter to take lightly. Fortunately, there are more natural cosmetics available today than in years past. Make a smart choices!

8. Switch from Synthetic to Natural Fibers

Synthetic sheets, carpeting, even furniture covers are made from chemicals such as polyester, nylon, rayon etc., and they are frequently given additional flame retardant chemical treatments. Make sure anything you wear or use is made of natural materials only! Change your carpets for organically made floor coverings like sisal or bamboo. When you buy new furniture, just say no to those stain resistant sprays they offer.

9. Minimize Your Electromagnetic Field Exposure

In our daily lives we are constantly exposed to powerful electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from cell phone towers, wi-fi hubs, high voltage wires, common devices like televisions, microwave ovens and almost all electronic appliances. Many of the electronic conveniences we use can be a danger to us, because of the low level EMF they generate. To make matters worse, non-electronic products around the house, magnify the effects of the radiation. The wire in a bra for example can behave like an antenna. Completely eliminating exposure to EMF is impossible, because power lines run all over the place, but you can always minimize it by taking precautions like using the land line at home and work instead of a cordless or a cell phone. Also cutting down on mobile use, switching off the wi-fi modem when not in use and reducing use of other electronic devices will prove beneficial for your health!

10. Sleep Clean

Your bedroom should be a place of peace, relaxation and comfort to support restorative sleep. If you want to support all aspects of healthy sleep, it’s essential to consider the sources of toxins in your bedroom. To help keep the toxins that are inside your mattress use an organic, waterproof cover to keep you from inhaling all those toxic chemicals, look for one made out of natural fibers like cotton or wool.